Club History

Stirling Lawn Tennis Club started its existence in 1878, making it one of the oldest clubs in Britain.

It originally played on courts at Easter Williamfield before moving to its present location in 1889. At that time there were only two red shale, or blaes, courts. Although the exact time is unrecorded, the change to three blaes courts occurred some time during the 1950s.

 The club was a founder member of the Stirling and District LTA which, in 1921, became the enlarged Central Districts LTA, to which it remains affiliated to this day.

Up to 1975 the club remained exclusively devoted to tennis. However, with the surge in popularity of squash during the 1960s and 70s, the bold decision was taken to introduce, what was then, the only squash facility in Stirling.

A massive fund raising effort was put into effect which, with support from the local Stirling Council and the Scottish Sports Council, resulted in the erection of the new clubhouse complete with two squash courts.

The new clubhouse was opened by Peter Heatly, Chairman of the Scottish Sports Council, in September 1976, the name of the club was also changed to Stirling Lawn Tennis and Squash Club.

The three blaes courts remained and, despite the continual effort required to maintain them, their condition progressively deteriorated and made play less enjoyable for the members.

Many attempts were made during the 1980s and 90s to replace the courts with an all weather surface but, lack of funding at the time prevented this from coming to fruition.

In the latter half of the 1990s, the help of Sports Lottery Funding and the advance of a loan facility from the Lawn Tennis Association, provided new impetus for the upgrading programme.

Considerable efforts were made by a few enthusiastic members to secure the funding package which allowed the laying of three magnificent artificial, sand-filled, grass courts which were completed early in 2000.

New perimeter fencing was erected and for security, access to the courts and clubhouse is via coded lock and security key card.

The installation of floodlighting on two of the courts now permits play all year round, further enhancing the facility.